Austrian innovation takes waste shredding solution mobile
Globally renowned engineering specialist UNTHA has launched the world’s first electrically-driven mobile shredder following extensive successful trials across Europe.
The ‘XR mobil-e’ is the latest innovation from the Austrian-headquartered alternative fuel production experts. With the same design features as the internationally acclaimed static XR, this mobile solution provides customers with identical benefits – high throughputs, low operating costs, energy efficiency, low noise, foreign object protection and ease of maintenance. Yet it is the first machine of its kind to shred with a low power electric drive and, thanks to its on-board auxiliary power pack, it can be easily moved around a production facility and plugged back in.
Designed to provide customers with maximum flexibility, the XR mobil-e can also process a variety of materials including MSW, C&I, C&D, wood and other bulky wastes, to produce a wide number of high quality fuels for the WtE, cement, gasifier and biomass markets. A series of interchangeable screens and cutters enable the shredder to be configured according to the output specification, with homogenous particles of 30-400mm achievable.
Commenting on the launch of this new waste shredding solution, Peter Streinik, UNTHA’s Head of Business Unit Waste said: “When we revealed our all new XR in 2014, the level of worldwide interest was phenomenal. In only six months we received orders totalling 5.000.000 EUR, from customers eager to minimise their capital expenditure through the procurement of one single-step SRF shredder.
“But for more than forty years, we have continued to innovate, however revolutionary our designs. So we continued to talk to the market to uncover what further operational challenges we could address. The need for a robust, flexible and efficient mobile waste shredder was apparent.”
A nine month engineering project therefore began to research and develop the new and unique waste shredding solution. Trials in Austria, Germany and the UK have revealed throughputs as high as 70 tonnes per hour, foreign object removal in minutes and machine reconfiguration to handle completely different material streams in as little as two hours.
Peter continues: “These trials enabled us to perfect elements of the technology prior to the market launch. However, our European roadshow of events proved so successful, we are now quoting for dozens of alternative fuel production projects across the continent.”
The XR mobil-e is supplied on tracks with an adjustable exit conveyor and ferrous magnet to ensure the extraction of valuable metals. With low fines production, it creates minimal dust and combustible material during the shredding process. This combined with the slow-speed shredding concept and electro-mechanic – rather than diesel-hydraulic – drive, considerably reduces the fire risk and hence insurance premiums.
Peter concludes: “Aside from the more obvious performance benefits, we’ve also received fantastic feedback about the emission-free, incredibly quiet operation of the XR mobil-e. With noise levels as low as 80 dB(A) this protects operator wellbeing and ensures minimal disruption to neighbouring communities. It also facilitates extended operating hours which results in increased throughputs and plant profitability.”